Dott Services Ltd, a road construction company has, through its lawyers of Tumusiime Kabega & company advocates demanded for an apology from New Vision over a malicious story against the reputable roads construction and contracting company.
According to the lawyers, the story titled: “Minister Byabagambi named in Road Fraud” contained malicious allegations against Dott Services Ltd despite a court ruling that cleared the construction company of the malicious allegations that were successfully challenged by the roads contractor.
This followed an application filed for Judicial Review of the findings and recommendations of the the commission of inquiry which New Vision itself published widely.
In the application, Dott Services Ltd challenged all the foregoing allegations. This was before His Lordship Justice Stephen Musota.
In the December 2016 landmark ruling, Court held that Dott Services Ltd did not cause the delays and that the allegation of inadequate capacity and equipment were unfounded.
Court also found that Dott Services Ltd were entitled to extra payments in case of delays caused by UNRA.
The New Vision story, while purporting to rely on the commission of inquiry report into allegations mismanagement, abuse of office and corrupt practices into UNRA stated that Dott Services Ltd had an increment of 110.7% in contract price revision on the Tororo-Mbale road works and that the said roads life was 2 to 3 years.
The ill-intended story further alleges that Dott Services Ltd “unlawfully and unjustly enriched itself by claiming prolongation costs for no work done”.
The story that was published on Saturday February 25 also suggests that Dott Services Ltd did substandard work which allegedly led to road failure among other wild allegations.
According to the lawyers, Dott Services Ltd, a reputable civil/road works contractor in the Eastern Africa region is concerned by relentless inquiries from clients and potential employers about the damaging contents in the New Vision story.
Dott services Ltd had asked for an unconditional apology in the New Vision newspaper with the same prominence as the publication of the 25th February 2017, within 5 days from 27th February. However, this is very likely since the five days given by the lawyers have passed.
“Take notice that in the event that you fail to publish the said apology, our client’s firm instructions are to commence legal action against you with all the attendant costs,” the lawyers state in a note seen by The Ugandan.
